Wilber takes about an hour to warm up. The process begins with a fire made in the pit itself to preheat the pit and provide the first batch of coals. Beyond this inital fire, no other flames are present in the pit itself.

The kindling is lit ...

... and the first load of wood burns to coals.

The coals are spread on the floor of the pit.

Additional coals must be added to the pit every 30 to 45 minutes to maintain a steady temperature. As the meat is cooking in the pit, a separate fire is kept going in the fireplace for the production of replacement coals.